KAINGARAN, Malaysia (UCAN) -- A semi-contemplative women's Religious congregation founded in Indonesia has celebrated 10 years of presence in Sabah, Malaysia's easternmost state.

The Putri Karmel (daughters of Carmel) nuns' 10th-anniversary commemoration here also marked 25 years since the congregation's foundation in Indonesia by Carmelite Father Yohanes Indrakusama.

The Aug. 31 celebration at St. Mary Magdalene Chapel in Kaingaran, about 1,660 kilometers east of Kuala Lumpur, featured a lion dance and fireworks. Bishop Cornelius Piong of Keningau, whose diocese covers Kaingaran, presided at the Mass, which Father Indrakusama and five other priests concelebrated.

Among the 600 guests were Sabah's Deputy Chief Minister Joseph Pairin Kitingan and local philanthropist Victor Paul.

The Putri Karmel nuns' main apostolate is conducting retreats, recollections and inner-healing seminars for children, youths and adults.

Father Indrakusama founded the congregation in 1982 in Malang, Indonesia. In 1989, he made a presentation at a charismatic convention in Sabah. Afterward he continued to visit Sabah with members of Putri Karmel and Carmelitae Sancti Eliae, a brothers' congregation he founded in 1986 in Indonesia.

On his visits, the priest found many local young people were interested in joining the two congregations, and he wanted to open a house in Sabah. He communicated this to Bishop John Lee of Kota Kinabalu, who then led the only diocese in Sabah. The bishop agreed to the priest's proposal, provided there were candidates from Sabah.

Keningau diocese was erected on Dec. 17, 1992, with Bishop Piong appointed to lead it.

In 1993 two Indonesian Daughters of Carmel nuns came to conduct a vocation seminar and found many girls willing to enter the congregation. Bishop Piong accepted the congregation on Aug. 10, 1997.

Putri Karmel started here with two Indonesian nuns and five local aspirants in Kampung Tipoh, 80 kilometers southwest of Kaingaran. After the local young women professed their vows, they were sent to Indonesia and Rome to continue their formation.

On March 19, 2000, the nuns relocated to Kaingaran. Their new "convent" comprised 19 huts for professed members and a two-story building with 24 rooms for aspirants and novices. The next year, a retreat center that can accommodate up to 120 people was constructed.

In 2004, a second building that can accommodate 250 people was added, along with a grotto area for children's and youth camps. This area was designed to used for campfires, Masses, concerts and candlelight ceremonies in honor of the Blessed Mother, with up to 700 participants.

On Jan. 14, 2006, the congregation opened a three-story building comprising the 500-capacity St. Mary Magdalene Chapel, a conference hall and a small kitchen.

With Malay as its medium of communication, the congregation attracts many local vocations. From five local members during its inception in 1997, it now has 32.

On April 1, 2005, it opened another Malaysian base at Majodi Centre, the biggest Catholic pastoral center in the country. The center is located in Plentong, in the southern part of peninsular, or western, Malaysia. The nuns there aim to serve the spiritual needs of migrant workers from Sabah and neighboring Sarawak, as well as from Indonesia.

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